Well, you pretty much say what my husband says..."why are you worried about this?" You're right, MO law is not strict, and I don't test my kids every year, but I did this past year (my ds 6th and ds 8th) and I was disappointed in some areas of their language sections, including punctuation. I feel like it is failure on my part in that I did not properly prepare them. So, I just want to make sure that whatever we use it is thorough. Although, I guess to be fair, we didn't quite finish the EG books and the end was capitalization work... I had already decide that no matter what grammar program I chose, I was going to have them both work through the Editor in Chief books because I have heard they are great for practice in finding errors, which is always on those tests! So I suppose that I could alternate the Editor in Chief and the AG like Marie said, and that would cover both areas. I will have to give that some serious consideration. :001_smile: Thanks for the input!! ~ Kirsten

Sounds like some of the AG users are supplementing to cover the parts that are left out each year. Hmmm...maybe I will just go with the Rod and Staff grammar that we have used in the past (last year we used Easy Grammar as a break from R&S). I was looking for something with a workbook format like the EG but still comprehensive and rigorous like R&S, and I noticed in my WTM book that it mentions Analytical Grammar as an option. Ugg!! Too much to think about :confused:

I was just looking at the website and the timeline for use suggests spreading the book out over 2-3 years, depending on what grade you start. According to the unit descriptions that leaves clauses for year 2, and punctuation study for year 3. What do you do about the standardized test at the end of the year that are going to have questions about punctuation, etc.? I like the look of the lessons, I am just worried about not covering all aspects of "grammar" each year... Anyone using this that can comment? Thanks! Kirsten

My son would like to attempt a few AP tests next May (maybe World History, English Lit, and/or Physics) and I thought I might buy the practice books early so that we could use them at our leisure. So, is there really a difference between the AP practice/prep books? Do I buy Barron's, Princeton Review, or Kaplan? Any opinions? Thanks :) Kirsten

Thanks, Annie, for answering my other questions. Sounds just about hassle free! We are going to give it a try. Ruth, thank you for sharing your satisfaction with the program. It's nice to know that many people have been satified with a program before you plunk down your money. :001_smile: Danielle, good point about looking to a SAT test or prep book to get perspective on difficulty level. thanks again! Kirsten

I have Spielvogel's The Human Odyssey and am thinking about using it next year. Do I need a teacher's edition, and if so, where do I get one? I assume there are support materials to go with it as well? Am I going to have to jump through hoops with a publisher to get things to go with this? Thanks!! Kirsten

I can't answer your question, but I am planning to use this with my 11th grader this coming year. I suppose you can finish anything in a semester if you spend enough time on it. :) I noticed in the Memoria Press catalog that they now offer DVD instruction for this book, so if you used that, it would take more time watching the lectures. You could always call MP and ask. I have used the Traditional Logic I (7th) TL II (8th) and Material Logic (9th) with my oldest son. I don't know yet the level of difficulty of Classical Rhetoric (I haven't actually seen the book) but MP recommends it for 10th and above, and I will say that the Material Logic was a weighty read and my son has pretty good higher level thinking skills! If Rhetoric is as weighty as Material Logic, I will plan to spend the entire year on it, from 30-60 minutes 3-4 days a week. This probably didn't help you much, but thought I would tell you what we will probably do! ~Kirsten

Thanks, ladies for the advice and suggestions. Michelle, I am not comfortable with the RS as a high school credit either. Carol, I had not heard of Concordia Villages, but will have to check that out. There are so many things out there to take advantage of! Annie, that is quite an endorsement for the online German! I appreciate you sharing your experience. The web site says for home schoolers to call regarding enrollment but it must not be a big deal signing up or you would have mentioned that. Also, I have heard that you can start any time...that it does not run on a certain time schedule per say. Is that correct? Thanks again! Kirsten

This post caught my eye and I have read everyone's responses with great interest. I was looking through my VP catalog the other day and wondering about the appropriateness of their choices. I just read 1984 about two months ago and I would not let my rising ninth grader read it. Most of their books seem way too deep for the level they assign them. I guess it would seem nice to say my seventh grader had read Plutarch's Lives, but I know he wouldn't get anything out it. What's the point in having them read a book that is too mature for them? Does anyone use Omnibus I just the way it is laid out? Seems like a lot for 7th graders. Just thought I would add my two cents1 ~Kirsten

I am trying to decide whether or not to have my rising 11th grader do German online at Oklahoma University (my preference) or just use the RS German that we already have (his preference). He has used this RS before when he was about 12 (not the workbooks, just the cd stuff) and liked it then, but it has just been sitting on the shelf since then. He is considering going to Missouri S&T for engineering and they require two years of foreign language. Right now he has no AP credits or CC classes on his transcript, so I think it would be good to show that he can do well in a class outside of home. How much does that really matter? We only have two maore years to get this right... ~Kirsten

Wow, I didn't think about the fact that it might take 4 weeks! We will go Friday and find out...maybe we will luck out and can walk out with one in our hand like AnitaMcC did. But if not, I sure do want it in enough time that I don't have to do any nail biting...my nails are already chewed to the nubs just trying to plan curriculum for next year... :001_smile:Kirsten

Thanks everybody! I appreciate you sharing your trampoline advice. I think i am going to go with one of the Jumpsport models...they seem to be well made and safe and they get good reviews. ~Kirsten

Thank you for sharing what you did...it sounds like the DMV ID might be the easiest to get. Since some of you have done this, I can rest assured he will not be turned away if he shows up with an ID from the DMV? :thumbup: My son is signed up for the Sept. 12 test so that gives me plenty of time to get this done...

Hi Michelle!!! Hope you and the family are having a great summer! Thanks for the info on the opera...I still remember going to the free dress rehearsal of LaTraviata with you and how much fun it was! Will definitely have to check out the Met! Keep in touch :D Kirsten

Hi, What do home schoolers do about a picture I.D. for the ACT? My son does not have a drivers license at this point or a "school" I.D. thanks!! Kirsten

Thank you for the help...I still don't know which to get, but I guess I better decide before we start school! ~ Kirsten

Anybody bought a great trampoline they want to recommend? I was looking at JumpSport trampolines on the internet and they claim to make a safe, good quality trampoline. Anybody want to rave about their trampoline? :001_smile: thanks! Kirsten

I have been trying to read about the Saxon teacher and the DIVE cd...they both say they teach a lesson, but the teacher also has all the problems worked out as well as the test problems. Are the lecture/lesson parts fairly similar? I don't want to buy the teacher cd and then find out that the DIVE cd has a more thoroughly presented lesson. thanks for your help! Kirsten

Any one lost 5 pounds or so in a couple of weeks? I'm leaving on a cruise in 2 weeks and would like to drop 5 lbs or so (more if possible) before I go. Know any diets that might accomplish this, something easy to follow? I am walking every day 30-60 minutes, so not a lot of exercise, but some. Thanks! Kirsten

Sounds like I may have to think about this a bit. I HATE picking the wrong math curriculum (been there, done that) and I REALLy hate it when I pick something too advanced and then have to stop and go back... Thanks for all the advice! Gives me some things to think about. Kirsten

My reluctant 12 year old reader likes to read Popular Mechanics and Popular Science. He hates reading novels, which, in a house of novel lovers is hard to deal with. If you try these magazines, just be aware that you migh twant to intercept them in the mail and tear out the mature ads in the back! :001_smile: Kirsten

Okay, I think I see what you guys are talking about. I have heard that some people skip 8/7, but I wondered why. From what you both said, it sounds like maybe the 87 eases the child along a little slower, but either text will bring you to the point that the child should be ready for Algebra I by the time they are finished with either 8/7 or algebra1/2. Did I get that right, or am I off base? :001_huh: Thanks! Kirsten

I have never use Saxon before but am considering it for my son who will be a 7th grader next year. We have used Horizons math for the last 4 years and he has done well with it. I used the Saxon placement test and he got enough correct to place into Algebra 1/2. Should I start there, or should I have him do the 87 since we have never used Saxon before? If I go with the Saxon I will buy the DIVE cd for him to watch as well. How different is the 87 from the Algebra1/2? Thanks! Kirsten

Looks like anywhere from $25-$100 would be okay. He's a smart kid and got a good scholarship to the University of Houston to major in mechanical engineering, but he'll still need money for other things he will need when he gets there. I wanted to ask because I was thinking of $50, but my husband thought $100...it's my husband's oldest brother's son and I think my husband wants to look generous! We always stay at their house when we go to TX and they are always generous with our kids at Christmas. Thanks again! Kirsten

I have a nephew graduating from high school next week...what would you consider an appropriate amount for a money gift? He is going to college in the fall, away from home. thanks! Kirsten